 Weekly
Feeding Program
 Missionary Outreach (Responding to emergency family needs) Coordinator of the Chester Area National Day of Prayer Task Force
(Task Force comprises representatives of a host of churches throughout
Chester and Surrounding Community)Women's Fellowship Sponsored Nutritional Education Programs
 Member of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Birmingham Letter Steering
Committee (Recognizing that Dr. King studied and trained for ministry
at Crozer Chester Seminary and Calvary Baptist Church - This Steering
Committee brought urban/suburban Clergy and leaders together to enter into
a Covenant of Community and Brotherhood to work on achieving, in The City
of Chester and surrounding areas, the hope and changes Dr. King challenged
us to in his "Letter From Birmingham Jail".
 Host of Community Peace Movement Activities following 911
 Member of Chester Ministerial Alliance

Calvary
Baptist is in its 125th year of serving the city of Chester and
surrounding areas.

TODAY AT CALVARY

Calvary Baptist continues to be blessed with dynamic spiritual leadership by
Reverend Dr. Bayard S. Taylor, Jr. who was called to pastor Calvary in June, 2000. Dr. Taylor came to Calvary with the ability to minister not only in the church but also in the community. Dr. Taylor is equipping laity for ministry through enhancing the Christian Education and Evangelism ministries.

Under Dr. Taylor's pastorate Calvary Baptist Church continues to have a strong presence in the City of surrounding communities: Calvary founded and is Coordinator of The Chester Area National Day of Prayer Task Force which comprises representatives of a host of churches in the area; Member of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Birmingham Letter Steering Committee; Member of the Chester Ministerial Alliance, and Host of many Community Peace Movement Activities.

"The Pastor who had the longest tenure was Reverend Dr. J. Pius Barbour who served 1934-1974. Dr. Barbour during his pastorate served as an elected delegate to the Baptist World Alliance in Copenhagen, Denmark and the World Assembly of Churches in Amsterdam. He also served for 20 years as the editor of the National Baptist Voice, the official voice of the National Baptist Convention. During his pastorate Dr. Barbour mentored, and provided preaching and teaching opportunities in Calvary for the late
Reverend Martin Luther King,
Jr. who was attending the Crozer Theological
Seminary. Today a nationally known marker stands in front of the Calvary Baptist Church noting the three years Dr. King spent in the Chester Community and the Calvary Baptist Church family.
" - 1

The following history of
Calvary Baptist Church was provided by the church in August 2003:

Calvary Baptist Church was organized in 1879 by a small group of freed slaves who migrated from Louisa County, Virginia.

The one building which housed worship services, educational programs, community meetings, choir rehearsals, etc. has expanded to include an additional Education Building, expanded lots, a parking lot, and a parsonage.

Calvary Baptist has always had a significant presence in the City of Chester and surrounding communities through not only developing spiritual maturity in its members, but also ministering the Love of Jesus in our community.

The
following "Brief History of Calvary Baptist Church" is taken
from the Home Directory of the Colored People of Chester, 1906
compiled by Lawrence L. Barrett & C. I. Wilson. This reference is
available at the DCHS research library.

Twenty-three years had marked the
struggles of the Calvary Baptist Church. It was some time during the close
of the above period when they extended a call to the present pastor, Rev.
Milton N. Sparks. The church then numbered not more than fifty, if that
number could be found. There was much to regret that expressed itself. Her
people had lost confidence in leadership and declared openly that God was
not for them, Etc. By God's help, after much prayer, the charge or call
was accepted. There was nothing to give inspiration by them who had gone
before. In fact, there was a building, but no church. Entering this house,
the Gospel of Jesus Christ was preached. Gradually the people, with
difficulty, came, one and two at a time, giving aid and receiving the same
spiritually. The revival spirit did much of the successful work in our
present church. Now we have a membership of 200, a Sunday School of 65 in
attendance, a well established system in perfecting church business, a
body organized and adapted in all its parts to a common end.

Improvements- Front and rear
chapel sidewalks, cemented basement floors, water and improved toilet
arrangements, and last but not least, our parsonage. All this work was
manifested in the four years' struggle of the present pastor. Not I, but
Christ.